Wellfleet OysterFest is back in 2022 after a two-year hiatus. Although this year’s festival will be slightly scaled back, it remains one of the Cape’s most highly-anticipated fall events and is well worth checking out during your Cape Cod vacation.

OysterFest is a family-family event that celebrates the world-famous Wellfleet oysters. It also highlights the town’s shellfishing traditions while giving attendees access to music, crafts, food, and activities all weekend long.

The 2022 OysterFest takes place on October 15 and 16 at Baker’s Field, directly across the street from Mayo Beach in downtown Wellfleet. The festival runs from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM on both days, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Here’s a closer look at what to expect when attending Wellfleet OysterFest 2022.

Getting Tickets

Before all else, you’ll need to purchase tickets to OysterFest to attend in 2022. This wasn’t the case in past years, but the town of Wellfleet has strict CoViD-19 restrictions in place for all events, and organizers can only let 6,000 people into the venue per day.

The last time an in-person OysterFest was held, about 25,000 people showed up, so the ticketing procedure is to ensure that only people who can gain access to the festival arrive at Baker’s Field. However, 6,000 people is still a lot, so a good time should be had by all once the festival weekend arrives.

Tickets are $20 for adults and free for children under 12. Keep in mind that kids under 12 must be registered and bring their complimentary ticket to the event to gain access to ensure that only 6,000 people pass through the gates.

What’s Happening at the Festival

You’re probably wondering about the events that take place at OysterFest, and it’s really a mixed bag.

First, there’s an artisan market where you can buy t-shirts, handmade crafts, and a bunch of other souvenirs to take home with you. The market is similar to other sales you’ll find around the Cape and usually includes some local retailers, as well.

Next, there are children’s activities that help make this a family-friendly event. The face-painting station is often the most popular for younger kids, but the balloon animals and bouncy castles also draw a crowd. There’s an on-site playground at Baker’s Field the kids can use, as well.

The food at OysterFest is legendary, as vendors line the entire area. Dining options you’ll come across include fries, popcorn, and cotton candy, but, of course, it’s the oysters that steal the show. Multiple raw bars are set up throughout the facilities, giving you the chance to try them all or pick and choose through the weekend. These raw bars are the event’s main draw, so bring your appetite when attending the festival.

Music is integral to Wellfleet OysterFest, as bands take the main stage all weekend long. The lineup features various local acts and adds to the event’s atmosphere.

Beer and wine vendors make it possible to enjoy a drink or two while you eat, browse, and listen to the music. The result is a festive atmosphere that locals and visitors return to year after year in the fall.

The Annual Shuck Off

While the food, music, and drinks create a wonderfully fun environment at the festival, the Annual Shuck Off brings bragging rights.

During this event, local shuckers face-of in a competition to see who can shuck their oysters the fastest. Each participant has 24 oysters to shuck and is penalized for broken shells, injured oysters, or cuts to their own hands.

The winning shucker earns a $1,000 cash prize, with second place taking home $500 and third place receiving $250.

The preliminary round runs on the Saturday, with the finals coming on Sunday. Make sure you check out these expert shuckers in person, especially if you’ve never seen how oysters are prepared.

Everything Else You Should Know

The parking lot at Baker’s Field is tiny and will be in use during the event. There’s another small lot across the street, but it will fill up quickly once the event begins.

However, organizers have arranged for a free shuttle to transport people from Lecount Hollow Beach, White Crest Beach, and Newcomb Hollow Beach to the event. All three of these beaches are on the Cape Cod National Seashore and are easily accessible for people arriving from other parts of the Cape.

Another option is booking a vacation rental near Wellfleet Harbor. The town is easily walkable if you’re staying downtown, and it means you won’t have to find parking or worry about driving after the festival.

Even though summer is over by the time Wellfleet OysterFest arrives, there are still plenty of reasons to check out Cape Cod.